Accelerator valve for sprinkler systems



CIG

tietented lid-ay 71 i929' einen STATES N 1,712,262 PATENT OFFICE.

AL .llItYER, F CI'ILSGAGC), t'l-LLNOIS, .ASSIGNCR TO WILLIAM GRIMSHAW, F GLEN ELCLYN, ILLINOIS.

ACCELERATR VALVE FOR SPRINKLER SYSTEMS.

Application filed August 21, 1924. Serial No. 733,277.

'lhis invention relates Vto valves `designed and adapted for accelerating the venting of dry automatic sprinkler systems and the trippi and opening oi? the differential ral-f which control the admission ot water nl systei commonly known as aciii A ci' toinatic sprinkler system, the pipes et the sy i' in con tain no water but air under pi re, the admission of water thereto 'troni Ur suitable source of supply, as directly from a water main or a gravity or pressure tank, being controlled by a differential air and water valve, the air valve et' which is sufficiently larger `than the water valve, that a relatively low air pressure in the system, act-ing on the relatively large air valve, will maintain the relatively small water valve closed against the relatively high water pressure on the supply side thereof. A usual difierential between the areas oi the air and water valves is 5.5 to l., whereby an air pressure ot from to 50 pounds in the sprinkler system will coimter-balance a `water pressure oit from 70 to 100 pounds acting on the water valve, with an adequate margin of safety. s

TWhen a sprinkler head oit a dry system is ruptured `troni any cause-as by exposure ot the fusible member thereof to fire-the pipes of the system will be vented, thus permitting water to enter` the system, in a ainiliar manner.

lt is found in practice, however, that it vfrequently requires a considerable interval of time for the system to bev fully vented and for the water admitted to the system to reach l the ruptured sprinkler head or heads, during whichtime the lire may spread and gain headway, thus rcnderingit correspondingly more diiicult to extinguish the re and `increasing the fire loss.

To remedy this objectionable feature, it has been proposed to equip such systems with devices commonly known as accelerator valves, designed and adapted for expediting the venting` oi said systems, so that water will. reach a ruptured head in the least possible time.

` Prior to my invention, all accelerator valves oit which I have any lmowledgawhave' been complicated` in construction, correspondinov y expensive to manuiacture and v1n most cases unreliable in operation.

The object of the present invention is to provide an accelerator valve Afor the purpose specified, which will be simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and which will be eli' tive and reliable in operation.

'llo this end, an accelerator valve embodying inyinvention and improvements comprises the various features, combinations of features and details of construct-ion hereinafter described and claimed.

Figure jl is a central, sectional vie-w ot an accelerator valve embodying my invention and improvements. i l

Figure 2 is a sectional plan view thereof, on the line Q--Q of Figli.

Figure 3 is a central, longitudinal see- `tional view of the separator unit; and

Figure 4; is a, :fragmentary sectional plan view on the line l-4 of Fig. 1.

Describing my invention `with particular reference to the drawings, my improved accelerator valve comprises a casing designated as a whole A, comprising separate sections a, al, bolted or otherwise rigidly secured Iiogether. The interior of the casing A is divided transversely by a iexible diaphragm of: into separate compartments l and 2 which, ior purposes of convenient reference, will herein be designated, respectively7 as first `and second compartments. `plnagm c2 may be made of any suitable ma- The . di atei-iai, preierably sheet rubber', and is secured 4in position by clamping its edges between the `clapper 7 adapted to engage a valve seat 8 which surrounds the opening 6, and which .is connected to and supported by the diaphragm c2, so as to be movable towards and from said valve seat. lis shown, the valve seat 8 termed on a bushing 9 made` of bronze A or other non-corrosive metal.

Astheaccelerator valve is installed for use, the adn 'infand discharge openings 3 and il are adapted tohave pipe connections,

1 berofthe dry pipe valve tending tov open the air'Valve, and inthe second "ase, merely accelerating venting of the system.

The valve clapper 7 is confined in a recess 10 in the end of the valve case, which maintai-ns it in operative relation to the valve seat Sand guides itin its movement towards and fromthe same. For convenience and economy of manufacture, said recess is formed in a plug 11 which has screw-threaded engagement with'a hole formed in the end of the valve casing.v Said plug, being removable, also affords access to the chamberl of the valve casingfor assembling the valve A1, for purposes of inspection, for cleaning the valve sea-t and for other purposes.

To permit free' access of air and water con-` tained in the compartment 1 ofthe'valve casing tothe upperend of the valve clapper 7,

said clapper is made smaller in diameter than therecess 10, and formed thereon are guide' lugs orfprojeetions 12 which are fitted, with slight clearance, to vsaid recess. Y

rl'he valveclapper 7 is connected to and supported by the diaphragm a2, so that flexure of said diaphragm in opposite directions will impart movement to said valve clapper to-V wards and-from 'the valve seat 8 to open or closethe valve A1,' as the case may be.

VTo Vprov-ide for assembling the parts of the 1' valve Alaround the elbow', the valve clap pei-7 forms a rseparate part and is det achably l securedto the upper ends of posts or standards l-'seeuredto a plate lt'attached to the dia-4 phragme? yAs shownQsa-idfvalve clapper has"screw-threaded engagement Withra segmenta-l ring 15 secured to the upper ends of said posts or standards 13, being preferably formed integraltherewith, said segmental ring being cut away at oneslde 1n line with the elbow 5, as Ashown at 16, to form an opening ofproper size to receive said elbow.

As shown, the posts or standards 13 are formedV integral with the plate 14, which is clamped to the diaphragm by means of a stud f'17Afoi-'ined thereon, which Vextends through holes formed in said diaphragm and also in la plate 18l applied to the lower side of said l.diaq'ilnjagim and a nut 19 threaded to the proiecting lower end ofsaid stud.

Forreonvemence in turning the clapper 7 Y ytol effect"-engagcnnent and disengagement thereof with Aand Vfrom thefopening 16'in the segmental ring 15,` means are providedv for engaging a wrench with the side thereof: which is exposed when the plug 11 is removed. As shown, said means consists of a flat-sided, specifically square, projection S on said clapper.

In aractice, the accelerator valve will be, installed with the diaphragm a? substantial] y horizontal and the casing section (L uppermost. Vith this construction, it is obvious that thc weight of the valve A anal ot the plates l-t and 18 will exert a force on the diaphragm u?, corresponding to an unbalanced air pressure in the compartment 1, tending to flex said diaphragm in a direction to close the valve A1.

In accordance with my invention, the compartments 1 and 2 of the casing A are connected by a passageway which is of such small size that balancing of a ditfcrential air pressure in said compartments will occur gradually. Thus, when the accelerator valve is in stalled for use and the sprinkler system and thus the compartment 1 of the casing A are filled with air under pressure, it will require an appreciable interval of time for suflicient. air to pass through the passageway from thc compartment 1 into the compartment .2 to balance the air pressure therein, during which time the unbalanced air pressure in the compartment 1, acting on the diaphragm n? will operate to close the valve A, thus preventingr escape of air from the compartment 1 through the discharge opening 4 of said compartment. The weight of the valve A and parts asso ciated therewith, including the sumiorting posts or standards 13, the plates 14 and` 1S and the nut 19 will maintain said valve A closed, but, when the sprinkler system and thus the compartment 1 of the casing A are vented, an unbalanced air pressure will be produced in the compartment 2 which will exert a force on the diaphragm a2 tending to flex the same to open the valve opening of said valve occurring whenever the pressure in the conniartment .2 is sutlieient to flex .said diaphragm against the 'force exerted thereon by air pressure in the compartment 1 and the weight of the valve A1 and associated parts.

My invention also comprises means t'or preventing said passageway from becoming clogged or closed by the lodgement therein of solid particles which are sulliciently small and light to be entrained by the air current passing through said passageway.

In the preferable construction shown, scc particularly Fig. 3, the passageway connecting the con'lpartments 1 and Q, designated 2l. is formed in a plate Q2', secured between thc ends oftubular men'lbers 23 and Q4 which are rigidly connected in any suitable manner. simple means for this purpose consisting of screws which rigidly connect flanges formed on the `connected ends of said tubular members. r Tight joints are formed between said plate 22 and the ends of the tubular members by packing gaskets 25, said gaskets being pro- Sti loo

lltt

ill

Ill]

li il tl l) vided with holes of substantially the same size as the inside diameter of said tubular members.

lihe remote ends or the tubular members and 2d are closed by headsV 26 and 27 which, as shown7 are termed integral about the body portions oif said tuluilar members. Said tubular members 23 and 2li thus torni compartments 28 and 29.

liree access ot airto and ilron'i said comprfirtinents 28 and 29 is provided for by means oif` open ended tubes 30 and 3l secured in holes termed in the heads 26 and 27 olE the compartments 2Q 2 r "nectivclyi liiigght, solid particles entrained by currents oit air entering the tubes 30 and Si are to a largi-i extent separated therefrom by screens or ainers 32 and 33 of very liuc mesh7 say mesh or liner to the inch, which surround entirely and enclose the proj ecting ends ot the tubes l() and 3l. Preferably, also, the ends ett said tubes are bent over so that theiropen C outer ends will eltend into close proximity to the heads 2li and 2T, as shown at l-i; and 35;

As a 'further precaution against clogging` ot the passageway 2l by lodgement oi': solid particles oi matter therein, conical Vbattles 36 and Si' are supijiorted within. the compartments 28. and 2), resi'iectively, the apeiies oit which are disposed inwardly towards the plate 22, and the remote sides of which :form conical receptacles 38 and 39 adapted to receive any solid particles which may enter the cmnpartments 28 and 29 lthru the tubes 30 and 3l, respectively.

As shown, the bullies 3G and 37 are supported between interior shoulders d0 and l-l 'termed on the tubular members 23 and 24 adjacent to their remote ends, and relatively .i-:inall tubular struts d2 and i3 inserted between the apeires oi. said bullies and the plate 22. As showin the remote ends oil? said struts are cl/nljiressed so as to close the open ends tlicieot and are rounded, said rounded ends engagi'iniv correspondinpr recesses formed at the aportes said bai'iles, all as shown at dal and 15. The proximate ends of the struts 42 and bear against the plato 22 and are coniined in position thereon wit-h their hollow interiors in connnunication with the passageway 2l by means ot recesses 'formed in opposite sides ot' the plate 22 into which the ends y ot said struts are inserted. As shown, said recesses are tormed in collars i6 and 47 sceured to opposite sides ot the plate 22.

lilach oi the battles BG and 37 is provided with holes or openings @i8 arranged eccentrically to its axis and formed in each of the hollow struts d2 and i3 are holes li) which connect the interiors ot said struts with the rompartnients 28 and 29 in the tubular niembers ..3 and 2d, respectively.

'lllie separator inst described, designated as a whole l is adapted to be secured in a hole termed thru the wall of the lower cas-` ing' section a1 with the tube 30 disposed inwardly and in communication with the lower compartn'ient 2 ot the valve casing` A, and the tube 3l disposed outwardly and in communication with a chamber 5() formed by recesses 5l and 52 in the wall ot the chamber 2 and in a plug 5? threaded into the outer end o" said recess 5l.

Said chamber 50 is in open communication with the upper con'ipartu'ientl oi the valve casing A defined by the upper casing section a by means of passageways 5d and 55 formed in the walls oit' the upper and lower casingv sections c., al, the proxiniiate ends ot which, respectively, are in open communication with small cavities 5G and 57 termed in the walls of said casing sections and opposite en dse l a stud. 58 rigidly secured in the wall. oi the lower casing section al, and the projecting); end of which engages a hole formed in the diapl'iragm c and in the wall olf the upper casing section et, said cavities being connected by means of a passageway 59 formed len giliwise thru the stud 58. Said stud 58 willoperatein an obvious manner to insure communication. of the passageways 54. and 55 when the valve casing A is assembled, and will also act as a dowel pin adapted to insure that the different parts ot the valve will be assembled in proper, designed position relative to each other.

As shown, the separator' B is removably secured in position by screw-threaded engagement of the tubular member 23 with the hole or opening formed in the wall of the `lower casing section (il to receive it.

A. particular advantage in mounting the separator B unit in the position and in the manner shown :is that it may be quickly and conveniently removed for purposes oi inspection7 cleaning or repairs and again replaced.

To provide for turning the plug 53 to rcmove and replace the same, said plug is preferably provided at its outer end with a raised square or hexagonal portion G0 adapted to receive a wrench; and to provide for turning` the separator unit B to remove and replace the same. the outer tubular member 24 is preferably provided with a square `or hexagonal portion 6l which may conveniently be engaged by a wrench.

In the preferable construction shown, also, the screens or strainers 32 and 33 are secured to rings 62 and 63 iiftted to reduced end portions Gd and G5 at the remote ends of.' the tubular members 23 and 2-l and which are adapted to be secured in engagement therewith by means of set screws.

I claim:

1. An accelerator valve for venting an automatic sprinkler systen'i, comprising a casing', a ilexiblediaphragm which dividesthe interiork ot said casing into separate first and second compartments which communicate with eachother by means of a restricted passageway, said irst compartmentbeing inner end of said elbow, and means for guiding said clapper in its movement towards and from the valve seat, the meansfor supvporting said valve clapper comprising a plate 'Sie secured to the diaphragm of the accelerator valve and a post or posts-on said plate to the upper end or ends of which said valve clapper is removably secured, the relation being such that the weight of the parts carried by the diaphragm of the accelerator valve formsthe sole mechanical means for maintaining the valve `clapper closed when the pressure in the compartments of the casing Y of said vaccelerator valve is substantially balanced,-excess pressure in the first compartment tending to close said valve and excess pressure in the second chamber forming the sole means for opening said valve.

2. An accelerator valve as specified in claim 1 which also comprises a segmental ring secured to the upper end of said post or posts in which the valve clap )er is removably secured, the open side of said ring being in line with and proportioned to permit the passage therethrough of the elbow on which the valve seat is formed.

3. An accelerator' valve, as specified in claim l, which also comprises a segmental ring secured to the upper end of said post or posts with which the vulve elapper has screwtlneaded engagement, the open side of said ring being in line with and proportioned i0 permit the passage therethrough of the elbow on which the valve seat is formed.

In witness that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I afix my signature this ist day of August, A. D. 1924.

AL FRYER. 

